2026 EXCEL Finalist – Joanne Lin

Tell us about your leadership style and how this contributes to your organization’s success.  

• Blue Sky:  I encourage my colleagues to dream big and to look beyond day-to-day operational limits.  I encourage our team to see the world as the sky’s the limit.  I love watching our staff brainstorm ideas and dream up visionary solutions, without worrying about budgets or feasibility. Even during these grim times, I make it a priority for our team to engage in “blue sky” brainstorming. 

• What’s on the Horizon? As the executive director, I have a fiduciary duty to protect the organization, our clients, our staff, our assets, and our reputation.  I am charged with anticipating threats, identifying hurdles, and safeguarding the organization.  During these unprecedented times of risk, I regularly engage in worst-case scenario planning.  
  
  In January 2025, we formed an Organizational Defense Board Committee dedicated to protecting the organization.  In response to potential threats, we instituted a raft of safety measures.  I spoke at multiple convenings of funders and nonprofit leaders to share our Organizational Defense plan.

• Democratic decision-making:  Embedded in my leadership style is a commitment to shared leadership.  Whenever possible, I share information, seek staff input, encourage staff to voice their ideas and opinions, and encourage joint decision-making.  This style of shared leadership can be tricky in a unionized workforce.   
  
  New Office Lease:  our current lease will end in 2028.  At my suggestion, we formed a group of 5 (two leaders, three union members) to develop staff priorities, review real estate market financials, discuss hoteling/coworking/telework/shared office options, and visit prospective properties.  The three union members receive the same information I receive in real time.  Together, we will identify and select our new office home. 

• Building Community:  One of my greatest joys is working in community – with my colleagues, board members, community partners – to advance economic justice in the DMV.  Community is at the beginning and at the end of all of our work.  Community organizations refer civil rights cases to us.  We bring strategic litigation to advance community interests. We co-counsel cases with private pro bono lawyers.  Our litigation victories result in meaningful community impact.

  In May 2026, I had the honor of accepting the Justice Potter Stewart Award on behalf of my organization.  We were honored for our successful litigation that halted warrantless immigration arrests in the District of Columbia.  Following our December 2025 court victory, immigration arrests in DC plummeted from 1400 to 100. 

What advice would you offer other nonprofit leaders?

In the current environment, it is critical to adapt to new opportunities and ways of working, while protecting what matters most in terms of organizational mission.  I am a big believer in adaptive planning—a focused complement to traditional strategic planning.  I have worked with my leadership team and board of directors to develop a 2-3 year action plan centered around the priorities most critical to our justice mission, while accounting for uncertainty and risks.  Together, we anticipate threats, identify hurdles, create a regular cadence for revisiting difficult trade-offs, and create an environment for learning and adjustment as conditions change.  

What does this award mean for you and your organization?

I have the honor of working with a brilliant staff, dedicated pro bono partners, and generous board members – all committed to promoting justice in the DMV.  No one does this work for the money.  This EXCEL award would be a tremendous recognition of our team, including our courageous clients and community partners who stand up against discrimination and injustice each and every day.